# RSA Authenticator (SecurID) vs Microsoft Defender

The clearest difference is rating: Microsoft Defender at 4.7 against RSA Authenticator (SecurID)'s 2.7. Microsoft Defender also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (21K vs 331). RSA Authenticator (SecurID)'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, review sentiment, ads and chart position there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Microsoft Defender sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. RSA Authenticator (SecurID) asks for nothing beyond the download.

Microsoft Defender holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Defender has 21K ratings behind it against 331, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of RSA Authenticator (SecurID)'s written reviews are positive against 34% of Microsoft Defender's.

RSA Authenticator (SecurID) ships an update every 3 months, Microsoft Defender every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | RSA Authenticator (SecurID) | Microsoft Defender |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.7 (331 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rsa-authenticator-securid/id318038618/reviews) | **[4.7 (21K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-defender-security/id1526737990/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 331 | **21K** |
| Positive reviews | 26.9% of reviews | **34.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#138** | #159 |
| Size | 64 MB | 159 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, Mac | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [RSA Security](https://appshunter.io/developer/318038621) | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) |

## What reviewers say

### RSA Authenticator (SecurID)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rsa-authenticator-securid/id318038618)

**Currently charting:** #138 Top Free · Business (US App Store)

This app provides multi-factor authentication for enterprises, offering passwordless security through device-bound passkeys. It supports various authentication methods like OTP, biometrics, and push notifications to secure digital access.

**Highlights:** Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Passwordless Security with Passkeys, One-Time Passcodes (OTP), Push Notifications, Biometric Authentication, QR Code Authentication

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works great
- 🔒 Secure authentication
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient alternative to hardware token

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Face ID bug
- 🐛 Persistent token disappearing issue
- 🐛 Buggy app
- 🤔 Confusing UI changes
- 🤔 Ugly app icon

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Token import/sync issues
- Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
- Incorrect token generation on wrong PIN entry

**Requested features**

- Add Apple Watch support
- Implement Face ID/Touch ID authentication
- Allow copying/pasting of token
- Provide option to customize notification sounds
- Add widget for quick token access


### Microsoft Defender

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-defender-security/id1526737990)

**Currently charting:** #159 Top Grossing · Business, #165 Top Free · Business (US App Store)

This app offers comprehensive online security for individuals and families, providing antivirus scanning, threat monitoring, and identity protection. It helps safeguard personal information by scanning the dark web and offers credit monitoring and identity theft restoration services.

**Highlights:** Antivirus scanning, Threat monitoring, Dark web scanning for identity threats, Credit monitoring, Identity theft restoration, Anti-phishing protection, Multidevice alerts

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $6.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $9.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $12.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast
- 🔒 Security
- 👍 Ease of use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🔋 High battery drain
- 🔍 Excessive data usage
- 🤖 Compatibility problems
- ⚠️ Disruptive to other apps

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues
- Unexpected app crashes
- Inconsistent behavior after updates

**Requested features**

- Dark mode support
- Customizable VPN settings
- Better integration with other apps


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RSA Authenticator (SecurID) free?

RSA Authenticator (SecurID) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Microsoft Defender free?

Microsoft Defender is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, RSA Authenticator (SecurID) or Microsoft Defender?

Microsoft Defender is rated higher. RSA Authenticator (SecurID) averages 2.7 out of 5 from 331 ratings, while Microsoft Defender averages 4.7 from 21K ratings.

### Do RSA Authenticator (SecurID) or Microsoft Defender have ads?

Neither RSA Authenticator (SecurID) nor Microsoft Defender shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RSA Authenticator (SecurID) or Microsoft Defender?

RSA Authenticator (SecurID) ships an update every 3 months, and Microsoft Defender every 2 weeks. Most recently, RSA Authenticator (SecurID) was updated on September 24, 2026 and Microsoft Defender on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, RSA Authenticator (SecurID) or Microsoft Defender?

RSA Authenticator (SecurID) currently peaks at #138 in the App Store charts, and Microsoft Defender at #159. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*